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Sunday 23 June 2013

The Lazy Girls Guide To: Washing and Drying Your Clip In Hair Extensions!


I am still on my never ending quest to grow my own short, thin hair 
So when I feel like adding some length and volume clip in extensions are the perfect solution

I've been using them on and off for years 
and although you don't need to wash them often
It is one of these tasks that us poor girls have to do that is essentially a pain in the ass.

However, I think I have finally mastered a quick and easy method of washing and drying them
Hopefully you will pick up a few tips! 
So here we go The Lazy Girls Guide to Washing and Drying your clip ins

Before we start it's important to know what kind of extensions you have
Not all extensions are suitable for washing or can be damaged easily with heat
Most synthetic extensions will frazzle as soon as heat is applied so please make sure you know before you start that they are human hair or at least part human hair and are suitable for washing and styling!
So now that you know your hair is fine to wash
You are ready to go! 
I've found that this little trick seriously makes life sooo much easier when it comes to washing your extensions
Instead of washing each weft individually,
wrap your extensions together and secure with a hair tie.


Now you are left with a long ponytail
It takes much less time and effort to wash them like this 
and they are actually far less likely to get damaged as they are less fragile when they are all together 
rather than in individual strips.


Now rinse the hair in warm water 
and pick whatever shampoo you like


I went for Aussie Take The Heat Shampoo
always try and massage the shampoo in from the top of the hair downward 
if you start from the bottom and work your way up the hair will knot 
Make sure you rinse out all the shampoo thoroughly 

You need to look after your extensions as you would your own hair 
So I always like to put a conditioning treatment in mine


This is the lazy girls guide though 
So a 3 minute treat will do!
I went for the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment
When the 3 minutes is up rinse all the conditioner out of the hair 

To keep your extensions looking as good as you can for as long as you can 
The best way to dry them is to let them dry naturally
Give them a quick towel dry, remember to be really gentle

Now I find that hanging the hair speeds up the drying process 
you can hang them over a clothes horse or a radiator 
but I have came up with something else 



Now I know this might seem a little bit strange
and maybe avoid doing it if you are expecting guests
(because they will almost definitely think you are a weirdo)
but if you get a trouser hanger and put the wefts through the middle 
it is a really good way to let your extensions air dry 


You might need more than one hanger depending how many wefts you have 
just hang them on a door handle and leave until dry 

One thing to remember
most human hair extensions will dry with a wave in them 
personally I like mine to be straight when I first wash them

Once my extensions are around 80% dry 
I like to give them a quick blow dry to give them a sleek, finished look 

Now unless you are a magician or have three hands 
you will find it extremely awkward and difficult to blow dry them properly
as you really need one hand to hold the weft, one to hold a brush, and one to hold the hair dryer 

I've got a tool that makes this process loads easier


The Babyliss Big Hair is a rotating brush that blows out hot air 
using this means you are able to blowdry and brush the hair with one hand 
leaving your other hand free to hold the weft


As you would with your own hair you should always apply a heat protectant to the hair 
before using a hot styling tool 


I used this one by TRESemme

and that ladies is pretty much it! 
I hope you picked up a few tips along the way
I love the feeling of my extensions when they are just washed

Just make sure you don't do it too often 
as over washing and styling can cause breaking and fall out!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend lovelies 

Jen <3 

Monday 3 June 2013

My Worldwide Wardrobe

Last summer I entered a competition run by Travelsupermarket 
called Beauty and the Beach, It was the first competition I had ever entered on my blog and had so much fun doing it that when they approached me about it this year I couldn't say no. 
Especially when I found out that the judges were some of my favourite bloggers! 

I decided to go with the other option this year which is a new competition called
My Worldwide Wardrobe
The idea is, you have to create a look for specific destinations and activities all over the globe,
using a budget of £200. I must say I am a bit of a bargain hunter so the budget wasn't a problem for me.

The winner of the competition wins £200 to buy their chosen outfit AND a holiday to that destination
So I have got everything crossed as I would love to go on holiday this year.


"To Dye For" Body 
 Staysick - £30

Vintage Levi 501's -
Ebay - £18.95

Nike Blazer Lo Vintage 
Size? - £40

Bracelet Stack
New Look  - £6.99 

Total - £95.94

First up is the party island Ibiza! This is one of my favourite places in the world, it is such an eclectic mix of people and fashion. When I say anything goes, I mean it! Clubbing in Ibiza is your chance to be as loud and daring as you want with your outfit, which is why I picked this AMAZING bodysuit by Staysick. I'm all for supporting local designers, and this range was actually designed by a girl I know. You could totally get away with wearing it on it's own in an Ibiza nightclub, but I'm not quite that daring so I would pair it with a pair of customised vintage Levi shorts.
 Now I wouldn't normally wear trainers clubbing in the UK but believe me, turn up to a club in Ibiza wearing heels and be prepared to feel very uncomfortable. These clubs are open till 6am! you don't want to go back to your hotel early because you made the wrong footwear choice! These Nike Blazers will help you to dance all night - pain free.
Finish the look of with some stacked neon bracelets and your ready to hit the clubs!




Celine Paris Replica T-Shirt
Etsy  - £10 

Double Zip Blazer 
ROMWE - £73.18

High Heel Sandal 
Zara - £29.99

Cigarette Trousers
Topshop - £22

Green Neon Necklace 
New Look  - £8.99

Total - £144.16

Cocktails in the city that never sleeps is definitely something that is on my bucket list.
 If I want to pretend to be a New York fashionista I need a powerhouse outfit!
I'm really loving the masculine looks that are out just now.
This is a tailored look with a feminine edge. The cigarette style trousers would really flatter my long legs and the signature Zara sandal would give the look an elegant feel.
What better way to look fabulous on a budget than wearing a designer replica vest. This is an absolute steal at £10
Wear it under a this gorgeous ROMWE fitted blazer and no-one will know you haven't paid top dollar for it.
Finish the look off with a pop of colour in the form of this statement necklace from New look and of course no New York outfit would be complete without a Cosmo in hand




Emma Jersey Drop Waist Dress
Jaeger - £80

Satchel
River Island  - £25

Cat Eye Sunglasses
Mango Touch for ASOS - £22.99

RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC -£14

Patchouli Nude Leather Shoe
OFFICE  - £36.00

Total - £177.99

Paris - The most romantic city in the world. It is somewhere I have never visited but if I did, there are so many things I would love to see! which is why I have went for both a stylish and comfortable outfit.
This gorgeous dress from Jaeger (boutique) screams Paris! OK, horizontal stripes in France might be a little cliche but who the hell cares. If I'm going to Paris I'm dressing as Parisian as possible.
I love this dropped waist style.
If you are wandering the streets of the city all day you are going to want comfortable shoes. These gorgeous leather shoes from OFFICE are just that, and they are on sale right now so are an absolute bargain.
They would also go perfectly with this gorgeous over the shoulder satchel, which is the perfect size to store your camera in, to ensure you don't miss the opportunity to snap the beautiful sights.
A pair of cat eye sunglasses will keep you looking cool on a beautiful French summers day
and a slick of RiRi Woo on your lips will brighten up the whole outfit!




Tye Dye Cover Up
Topshop - £32

Peace Bandeau Bikini
Topshop - £32

Pink Neon Sunglasses
Missguided - £5.99

Turqouise Havaianas
Schuh - £20

Total - £89.99

Thailand is the place to be at New Year, and you can't visit this beautiful country without going to a full moon party! These parties are infamous and literally thousands of people head to the beach to celebrate!
Beachwear is a must but you want to stand out from the crowd. This Topshop bikini is the way to get noticed and the turqouise Havaianas match it perfectly!
Chances are it's going to be a late night so while your partying by the bonfire you are going to want a cover up.
Throw this Tye Dye cover up over your bikini for a perfect dressy yet casual beach look.
Neon is everywhere at a full moon party and these pink sunglasses are the perfect accessory, now all you need to finish off the look is to let one of your friends slap some neon face paint all over you, and get ready to party!

I had so much fun styling these outfits! If you want to have a go yourself you can enter the competition here
http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/worldwide-wardrobe/

I TAG you all to do it!

Please let me know what you think of my outfits!
and keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Jen <3 xxx